HISTORY of Lesotho

Lesotho was originally known as Basutoland. Although the country's history stretches back millions of years, as a state, it is quite young. The state emerged between 1815 and 1829, when its founder, King Moshoeshoe I, gathered the remnants of tribes scattered by regional wars and established a stronghold on Thaba-Bosiu Mountain. Basutoland was subsequently established as a native state under British protection in 1843. In 1965, the country sought independence from Britain, and on October 4, 1966, Basutoland became the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Lesotho has a population of approximately 2 million, 99% of whom are ethnically Basotho. Other ethnic groups in the country originate from Europe and Asia. Sesotho and English are the country's two official languages ​​and are spoken nationwide. Christianity is the dominant religion, comprising Catholics, members of the Lesotho Evangelical Church, and Anglicans; however, some indigenous religious practices also exist.